My parents drink too much. I don’t mean wine with dinner.
They get mean or pass out when they drink. It’s awful. How can I get them to
stop?

Dear Bad Situation,

You can’t make them stop, but you are not alone and can get
help for this very serious problem. There are many support systems for kids.
Alcoholism is a common disease that wreaks havoc on many families. Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) is an organization that helps people swear off drinking, one day
at a time. Alateen is part of AA and is for kids who have family members with
drinking problems.

If possible, enlist an aunt, uncle, grandparent or other
adult relative who doesn’t drink to help you confront your parents with
compassion, not accusations. Some people throw loved ones a “surprise party”
with an agenda. Several near and dear ones gather to say, “We’re worried about
you and love you too much to watch you drink your life away. You need to get
help.” The drinkers’ first response is likely to be anger and denial. But,
eventually, many drinkers become ex-drinkers. Good luck.